A Very Long Night

“You know we met in school. But It wasn’t like love at first sight”
Varsha rolled her eyes, making me smile. A smile shared by all the people seated on the table. We had heard this story a million times. Always the same words followed.
“We were friends for a couple of years when we suddenly realized we wanted more. It was quite confusing. But I guess it worked out in the end. It’s been four years and still going strong! Especially now that we’re in the same city.” Taking a breath, she looked up at him seated next to her, squeezing his arm affectionately.

Suddenly turning to her other side she said, “So Harsh, remind me, how did you meet Sunanda?” The last part was a surprise. Didn’t she know? Everyone knew, it wasn’t exactly a secret.

Instantly, Harsh looked at me, embarrassed. I caught his look, just before I lowered my eyes, examining my nails. It was a sticky topic. We never talked of it. But sometimes it became difficult to avoid such direct questions. I looked up at Varsha, looking expectantly at him.
Waiting for an answer.
Expecting a juicy story.
Everyone else did.
Waiting for him to begin.
Expecting him to be eager.
Everyone else was.

Then mercifully he started talking, breaking the awkward silence, perhaps awkward only for us.
Talking... it was one of the things he did well. But it was something we never did. Not about us.
He was uncharacteristically short. Perhaps no one noticed. I did. We exchanged glances.
“We met in college. She was two years my junior. I saw her, liked what I saw and it just happened.”

But she wasn’t satisfied.
“How sweet... must have been so romantic! And how long has it been?”, Varsha probed, feigning innocence.
“umm... About 7 years this April”, his reluctant reply, stealing a quick glance at me, my face now firmly turned away, blushing a little.
Looking intently at the potted plant.
Counting the petals on a flower.
Pretending to count.
Not wanting to meet his eyes. But wanting to hear what he was saying.
Struggling to keep my face neutral, with both embarrassment and curiosity threatening to reach it.

Varsha persisted, mistaking his silence for hesitation, or worse, deep emotion.
“Wow, SEVEN years, you guys must be serious! Are you planning on marriage? Do your parents know? My parents would kill me if they found out about Sahil”
“Well our parents know. But no plans as such, as of now... it’s really not such a big deal”, Harsh mumbled, gesturing to the waiter, attempting to cause a distraction in the questioning.
It didn’t work. Our inquisitive little busy- body Varsha demanded further details, “But she’s in Bombay now! Must be difficult for you both, long distance and all...”

I tuned out, turning to Gautam on my side, before she could turn on me. Gautam, a good friend I hadn’t seen in a while. We were very close in college, losing touch once we started jobs in different cities. Gesturing towards Varsha and grimacing, he asked “So Gauri, how is it going in Delhi? No one from our circle is there right? Must be boring! Except Harsh of course, do you get to meet him often?”

It was going to be a very long night.